The In's And Out's Of Data Recovery

Data Recovery

This is the process of saving (salvaging) data from failed, damaged, inaccessible or corrupted storage media that cannot be accessed normally. Salvaged data is usually from media formats like HDD (Hard Disk Drives), CD's, Storage Tapes, DVD'S, RAID and many other electronic storage devices. Logical damage to file systems in Hard Drives can prevent it from being accessed like normal and the loss of data can occur. Physical damage can also be a major factor in the malfunction of a storage media.

One of the most common issues involving data recovery is OS (Operating System) failure, when a file that the operating systems (such as windows) corrupts, gets deleted, becomes inaccessible to the hard drive the operating system fails and your files will become inaccessible.

Techniques for recovery

There are multiple techniques for recovering data from physically damaged hardware. One technique is to replace the damaged parts of the hard disk, this process may make the hard disk work again but there may still be logical damage. A special procedure of disk-imaging can be used to recover every readable bit from the surface of the HD. The image is acquired and saved on a readable, reliable medium. The data can then be inspected to find and logical damage, this process gives the possibility of the system files to be reconstructed.

Some examples of physical recovery procedures are as follows:

• The removal of a damaged printed circuit board (from here out stated as PCB). The PCB is then replaced with a compatible matching PCB from a healthy, functioning Hard Drive.
• A live PCB swap
• Read/Write head assembly – the removal of hard disk platters from the damaged drive and installing them of a health drive.

Sometimes all the above procedures are needed for the process of data recovery. Be warned though almost every form of physical damage data recovery will void the manufacturer's warranty.

The Process of Disk Imaging

After logical damage has been repaired the reconstruction of data can take place. DOS Tools like HDClone or Open Source Tools like DCFLdd can often be used to recover all data except that from the physically damaged sectors of the disk. Another way to salvage damaged media is a government and Law Enforcement only tool known as ILook IXImanager.

Data recovery imaging has the following abilities:

• It can bypass the BIOS and Operating System enabling it to communicate with the Hard Disk (The bios and Operating System are very limited when it comes to dealing with ‘bad sectors' and the recovery of them.
• Data Imaging instead of skipping the bad sectors can actually read from them.
• Unstable drives can cause issues like repowering or resetting the drive when trying to read bad sectors, Data Recovery Imaging can handle these issues.
• Data Recovery Imaging can allow you to disable certain features which can greatly improve the imaging times. Features such as G-List re-mapping and SMART will increase the time imaging takes to complete.